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Savant: iPad to "Redefine home automation"

by Dave Caolo Feb 16th 2010 at 2:00PM

Automating one's home with a Mac isn't new. Indigo has been around for a while, as has XTension. Heck, you can even feed your dog remotely. The folks at Savant offer a way to control your home or office's entertainment system, climate, security cameras, lighting and more with an iPhone or iPod touch. To say that they're excited about the iPad would be an understatement.

In an interview with Electronic House, Savant president Jim Carroll called the device's release a "...watershed moment." He also confirmed that his company is working on an iPad app, including some "pretty cool" plans for the device's large screen.

For now, home automation can be expensive, but Carroll believes that the iPad will change that. With a device that starts at US$499 (and should only get cheaper) and runs App Store apps, more and more people will be able to take advantage of this technology. Of course, that doesn't mean your home will be as cool as Daniel Graystone's overnight, but it's progress.

At the very least, imagine a beefed-up version of Apple's Remote app that went beyond Apple TV and iTunes sharing. We're living in the future!



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Automating one's home with a Mac isn't new. Indigo has been around for a while, as has XTension. Heck, you can even feed your dog remotely....
 

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Ax

If Savant expects to come out on top in the HA market, they are going to need a buy-it-yourself / do-it-yourself / easy-to-use and implement option. All of these HA companies that require dealers, consultants, installers, etc are ultimately limiting themselves to a finite amount of users / customers.

February 16 2010 at 4:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MagicFeather

The main issue I have with home automation is that it isn't easy to set up. Switching over light switches was really expensive, designing my own control page was a pain, the interface is delayed (even over wifi), and even the software was very expensive.

Home automation needs to get cheaper hardware ($15 per light switch, max), the software needs to become more automated (you install a light switch, boom, it's already seen on indigo), and most importantly the software needs to automatically build a customized control page for you that includes an action section, devices section, and is optimized for devices. Right now when I hit 'indigo touch' on my iphone, it takes 12 seconds to load. I had to build my own page, which was fine, but not easy.

Basically, the home automation system that wins will work with all device types, incorporate much more affordable hardware, and the setup will be simpler (think iweb vs dreamweaver). Indigo is good, but it's not built for mass consumption.

February 16 2010 at 3:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rob.pratt

I don't get what the iPad does for home automation that the iPhone and iPod Touch couldn't have already done aside from the larger screen - and when it comes to that, that's merely user interface design on part of the automation software developer. This statement just seems like a way to get free PR rather than actually deliver something they could have since 2008.

February 16 2010 at 2:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to rob.pratt's comment
Yve

Unlike the iPod Touch or the iPhone, the iPad is more a "family" device than a personal device. It will typically be on the coffee table, unlike your iPhone or iPod.

It may sound silly, but that makes a big difference.

February 17 2010 at 5:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
daniel.hummelmann

How about KNX systems?
I've been trying out OpenRemote and aycontrol lately, both seem pretty decent at what they do. aycontrol seems more polished and more sophisticated, I'm not sure if I'm willing to spend the money though...

Any other apps out there?

February 16 2010 at 2:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tony

I would love to have a basic X-10 control client for less than $75. Indigo and XTension are great products, but expensive for someone who wants simple lighting timers and the occasional macro. I don't currently have the skills to setup shell scripts to control things either.

I hate to say it, but I loved X-10's control software on the PC. It was simple and had everything I needed. I'm tempted to install Virtualbox and an old copy of WinXP just to update the X-10 controller once every three months.

February 16 2010 at 2:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Tony's comment
gg

You know you can get Indigo Lite for $89 right? I know it's not sub $75 but it's a lot cheaper than the full version and xtension. Or you could try shion (http://bit.ly/aUAmsK) which is free for up to 3 x-10 devices and only $35 for the full license.

February 16 2010 at 4:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jimbo

I don't understand how the iPad is going to change this statement "For now, home automation can be expensive?"

It adds another expense to home automation. Not that I am not willing to get one to go with my Indigo setup. :)

February 16 2010 at 2:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Jimbo's comment
Russ

Can't wait to try this out with clients. I really hope AMX and Crestron are taking note.

February 16 2010 at 2:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Russ's comment
alf

russ - amx sucks, and their booth was a joke, but crestron has been on the ball for quite a while now. at last year's cedia event, i'd say at least 1/3 of their enormous booth was dedicated to /iphone + crestron gear. see here - http://www.crestron.com/solutions/integration_with_apple_mac_iphone/

February 16 2010 at 2:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3space

While Crestron has introduced its low-end Prodigy line to oust the likes of Control4 and Savant, they are missing the boat entirely. Why? Crestron is restricting configuration and programming to authorized dealers and custom installers. If you are not an authorized installer, then you are not provided any access to configuration software, period. This is a huge mistake in my view. Crestron has completely missed the point on two fronts: 1) Installation costs are prohibitive for many; 2) There are many DIYers that have pretty good home theatre setups, but that want to upgrade to 2-way communications. Crestron also wants to ensure that their existing high-end market will not get cannibalized by the Prodigy line by intentionally making their systems incompatible between the two.

Wake up Crestron, you just lost $5K.

Control4? Requiring each iPhone connected to purchase a $200 license? Seriously?

Savant at $49.99. I find that this is OK.

Finally, does anybody know where I can take the Savant software for a trial run? How does one purchase it? Or, does access to it come with the controller?

April 14 2010 at 9:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
homan2

So it's like having Indigo Pro (Home Automation)/iCam (CCTV monitor)/Redeye (wifi to IR controller) rolled up into one package?

February 16 2010 at 2:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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